Charlie Crist is Seated in the Shot

President Barack Obama embraces former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist as he takes the stage during a campaign on the campus of St. Petersburg College on Sept. 8, 2012 in Florida.

The camera shot of the first lady of the United States seated at the third and final presidential debate of the season includes someone who is trying to get back in the picture in Florida.

Charlie Crist, who served in the state Legislature as a Republican, served as commissioner of education as a Republican, served as attorney general as a Republican, served as governor as a Republican and ran for Senate as an independent, is seated behind First Lady Michelle Obama in the debate theater at Lynn University in Boca Raton.

Crist, who attended President Barack Obama’s nominating convention in Charlotte last month and voiced his support for him from the convention stage, is widely believed to be preparing another campaign for governor in Florida. The incumbent is a Republican, Rick Scott, and the Democrat who ran against him in 2010, Alex Sink, is likely to run again.

That leaves Crist an independent path, should he choose it.

Tonight, the camera is on the first lady — and Crist.

Also seated near the president’s wife: Scott Van Duzer, the pizza parlor owner in Florida who lifted the president off his feet with a bear hug when he came calling.